WIDNES Market is to close its doors on bank holidays following complaints from traders that it is hardly worth setting up their stalls.

Members of Halton Borough Council's Executive Board were today due to approve the closure of the market on holiday Mondays, starting from August.

The move comes after traders produced figures showing the number of shoppers visiting the market fell by up to two thirds on holidays. A survey among traders revealed 49 out of 70 in the Market Hall wanted to close.

A council spokesman said: 'The view of the traders' committee is that if less than half the traders attend, it creates the wrong impression to the public.

'Consequently, it feels it would serve the community better to close.'